D(is) M(anibus) / positus est hic Leburna / magister mimariorum / [q]ui vi{c}xit annos plus / [m]inus centum / [al]iquotie(n)s mortuus / [sum] set sic nunquam / [opto v]os ad superos bene / [va]ler{a}e
For the shades, here lies Leburna, teacher of mimes, who lived 100 years more or less. I dies several times, but never like this. I wish those still living may live well.
CIL 3.3980 = ILS 5228, Epitaph from Siscia
For the shades, here lies Leburna, teacher of mimes, who lived 100 years more or less. I dies several times, but never like this. I wish those still living may live well.
CIL 3.3980 = ILS 5228, Epitaph from Siscia
Theater
Pantomime and Mime
The amphitheater was only one of the locations selected for holding spectacles in the ancient world. Theaters and theatrical events were also considered spectacula. The precise events which took place are not always known, but certain acts such as pantomime and mime could have been either public or private spectacles. Pantomime was one of the events enjoyed by the Romans and was introduced in 22 BC by Augustus and Maecenas. This form of entertainment consisted of a solo (silent) dancer surrounded by a chorus of singers and musical instruments. This individual would be dressed in costume including a mask and would represent various mythological scenes. This was considered to be a more sophisticated form of art than mime and was popular with the elites (Roberts. 2007).
As with gladiators, the pantomime artists and mimes were considered infames (of low status). This was due to the use of their bodies to make money. This was not the only negative mark associated with them during the reign of Tiberius. There were two mime riots which were mentioned as some of the worst riots ever and they resulted from mime performances. In AD 14 after the death of Augustus the first riot occurred at the Ludi Augustales in his honor. In this instance, a pantomime artist refused to appear on stage as he was not paid sufficiently. When the riot escalated, the senators present in the audience were forced to meet and raise the funds. The second mime riot occurred one year later in AD 15 again over insufficient funds. In later years restrictions were placed on these events including the banning of senators from visiting the homes of pantomime artists. In AD 23 all of the histrones (actors) were thrown out of Rome by Tiberius. This was not a permanent fix though and mime continued to be popular. The Emperor Justinian even married a former mime actress (Theodora) in AD 523.
Nero - The Emperor and Actor
The emperor Nero reigned from AD 54-68 and was a great fan of the theater. Despite the stigma placed on actors in ancient Rome, Nero insisted upon acting on stage. He even created his own festival, the Neronia to celebrate his talents:
Selected list of primary sources on the theater:
CIL 3.3980 = ILS 5228.
Livy. Roman History. 7.2.
Suetonius. Life of Nero. 11-12.
Tacitus. Annales. 14.20-21.
Photograph above: Inside the ancient Roman theater in the Syrian city of Bosra.
The amphitheater was only one of the locations selected for holding spectacles in the ancient world. Theaters and theatrical events were also considered spectacula. The precise events which took place are not always known, but certain acts such as pantomime and mime could have been either public or private spectacles. Pantomime was one of the events enjoyed by the Romans and was introduced in 22 BC by Augustus and Maecenas. This form of entertainment consisted of a solo (silent) dancer surrounded by a chorus of singers and musical instruments. This individual would be dressed in costume including a mask and would represent various mythological scenes. This was considered to be a more sophisticated form of art than mime and was popular with the elites (Roberts. 2007).
As with gladiators, the pantomime artists and mimes were considered infames (of low status). This was due to the use of their bodies to make money. This was not the only negative mark associated with them during the reign of Tiberius. There were two mime riots which were mentioned as some of the worst riots ever and they resulted from mime performances. In AD 14 after the death of Augustus the first riot occurred at the Ludi Augustales in his honor. In this instance, a pantomime artist refused to appear on stage as he was not paid sufficiently. When the riot escalated, the senators present in the audience were forced to meet and raise the funds. The second mime riot occurred one year later in AD 15 again over insufficient funds. In later years restrictions were placed on these events including the banning of senators from visiting the homes of pantomime artists. In AD 23 all of the histrones (actors) were thrown out of Rome by Tiberius. This was not a permanent fix though and mime continued to be popular. The Emperor Justinian even married a former mime actress (Theodora) in AD 523.
Nero - The Emperor and Actor
The emperor Nero reigned from AD 54-68 and was a great fan of the theater. Despite the stigma placed on actors in ancient Rome, Nero insisted upon acting on stage. He even created his own festival, the Neronia to celebrate his talents:
- AD 60 - Neronia (games instituted by Nero – new theatrical festival, Nero was awarded prizes although he did not compete – to be held every 4 years)
- AD 64 - Nero appears as an actor on stage in Naples (immensely popular); 2nd Neronia; Nero plays bride in public wedding
- AD 64 – Nero turns Rome into his own personal stage – Tacitus. Annales. 15. This is also the date of the great fire at Rome.
- AD 65 – Neronia (3rd); performance at the Theater of Pompey (where he recites poetry)
Selected list of primary sources on the theater:
CIL 3.3980 = ILS 5228.
Livy. Roman History. 7.2.
Suetonius. Life of Nero. 11-12.
Tacitus. Annales. 14.20-21.
Photograph above: Inside the ancient Roman theater in the Syrian city of Bosra.
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Please see the above video for a 3-D reconstruction of the Theatre of Pompey, Rome.
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Please see the above video for the infamous dance performance by the Emperor Caligula from the series I, Claudius.
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